The professional wrestlers to watch this year

So much has happened in WWE last year, now this year has very high expectations for fans around the world. WWE will continue to expand into different countries, so we wanted to gather a list of some of the best pro wrestlers and signings to come out of 2018. Make sure you look for the following wrestlers this year, they are going to make plenty of headlines and get closer to title shot opportunities.

Devlin was expected to face Travis Banks at the first ever NXT UK TakeOver event in Blackpool, however, there was a slight change of plans. Devlin ended up attacking Banks before the show and then again outside of the ring before the match started. Because of this, Delvin ended up facing his trainer, Finn Balor. The crowd went wild, and it's easy to see that the WWE thinks very highly of Devlin and what's he brought to NXT UK. Only time will tell if greatness is destined for this young prospect. However, after his match with Balor at TakeOver, you should definitely keep an eye on this rising Irish star who will most likely hold a NXT UK belt this year.

Although Ripley has recently lost her NXT UK Women's Championship, she's still one of the organization's promising stars to watch in 2019.  It may be too early to tell, however, I do believe Ripley lost the belt to Toni Storm to eventually free her up to make her main roster debut. Even if it isn't anytime soon, Ripley will most likely enter as a participant in this years women's Royal Rumble match. It's inevitable that WWE will start look towards their UK talent to fill main roster spots. Keep a very close eye on Ripley.

With the Four Horsewoman of MMA vs Four Horsewoman of WWE angle slowly gaining momentum in the main roster, expect Belair to reign as NXT Women's Champion sometime this year. She's already getting her first shot at the current Champion, Shayna Bazler at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix. Although she may not win this one, expect the athletic and powerful Belair to have gold around her waste before the end of 2019. Bianca will likely take the main stage in the NXT women's roster once Baszler gets called-up.

Dunne has been a star for the organization since he debuted and claimed the NXT UK Championship. He's been the first and only competitor to hold the belt, and it seems he isn't going to lose it anytime soon. There's so much hype surrounding Dunne, who has broken records for holding the belt as long as he has. I would watch out for Dunne in 2019, he'll likely get called up and/or lose his belt to a rising star in NXT UK.

You can't deny her at this point, she's a star. After winning the second season of WWE's Mae Young Classic, and defeating Rhea Ripley for the NXT UK Women's Championship, it will be interesting to see what the organization does with Storm in 2019. Storm will likely hold the title for a while, defending against the crowded NXT UK women's division and sliding her reign. If the WWE is short on superstars this year, she's another likely candidate to make an entrance in the Royal Rumble. Regardless, Storm is one to keep your eye on. She's extremely talented and very popular amongst the WWE Universe.

Hawkins' undefeated losing streak has been the only talk making waves for the former tag team champion, who is peaking at over 250+ days without a win. Most recently, Zack Ryder made the save after The Revival double teamed Curt, who was the special guest referee of their tag team championship matchup against Bobby Roode and Chad Gable. Although it's early to tell, the WWE may be looking to reunite the former champions, to compete the in current tag team division. Look for Hawkins to finally turn his bad luck upside down in 2019, and potentially make a run for the tag championships in the near future.

Dijak is the latest signing to make their NXT debut, coming from Ring of Honor. Dijak is huge and lining up to be the next huge star for the organization. With all the recent call-ups to the main roster, Dijak is needed as not only a force to be reckoned with, but a future main-eventer on NXT. Watch out for Dijak this year, he's likely to hold a NXT championship, having feuds with some of the best. He's going to waves in the WWE.

He's the current North American Champion and will be defending against Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover: Phoenix. Ricochet is absolutely one to watch, he's a high-flyer and extremely talented. I don't think we'll see Ricochet on NXT for much longer, although he's still fairly new to the organization. He's destined for greatness and to have some of the best matches in the WWE. I could see Ricochet being an entrant in this year's Royal Rumble, and if he is, expect him to be the next Kofi Kingston or John Morrison with his jaw-dropping technique and acrobatics being highlights during the match.

Since going on his own, McIntyre is destined to hold the Universal Championship in 2019. If Balor doesn't beat Brock Lesnar, then look no further, McIntyre will be the one to do it. He's aggressive, talented, and one of the bigger superstars on the roster. 2019 will be McIntyre's breakthrough year; expect him to continue headlining on WWE Raw against some of the greatest superstars like John Cena and Finn Balor.

Ali was the first superstar to jump from 205 Live to SmackDown, and he will be the first to do it and eventually claim the WWE Championship. Ali has been promoted as of late, and seems to be a superstar Vince and the company is extremely fond of. The sky seems to be the limit for Ali, expect him to be a feud for Daniel Bryan in the near future, who currently holds the belt as a heel.

All hail the King of Bros. Riddle is undoubtably one of WWE's future stars. Not only is Riddle popular amongst the WWE NXT community, he's a former mixed martial artists making the switch to professional wrestling and has all the skills needed to be a star. Watch for Riddle this year, as he will most likely hold NXT gold and potentially get called up to the main roster, late in 2019. Once his feud with Kassius Ohno is done, it will be interesting to see what the WWE has next for this prospect.

Ronda Rousey vs Sasha Banks is going to be unreal. Although Rousey has faced Charlotte, Banks is her first title defense against one of the Four Horsewoman. If you recall, Banks threw up the fours after her tag match alongside Rousey, so it's inevitable that this matchup is on the horizon. Rousey has officially received the attention of all four woman, so I think after The Royal Rumble it's time for Jessamyn Duke, Marina Sharif, and NXT Women's Champion, Shayna Bazler, to get called up. This faction matchup will be the biggest matchup in WWE history, with the Four Horsewoman of MMA taking on the Four Horsewoman of WWE.